Regional Organized Crime Information Center

SPECIAL RESEARCH REPORT

Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide

Latest Technique Hazardous
to First Responders and the Public

By ROCIC Publications Specialist Jennifer Adkins

© 2010 ROCIC

SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION

 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide

Sulfide Suicide Method

Poses Officer Safety Hazard

Excerpt from a 2008 Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Training Alert

Responding to a Routine Call - How Would You React?

I t’s Sunday morning 0730 hours, you respond

to a person down in auto.
What should you have done differently? You are
the first-in unit. How should you respond to this
type of incident?
You locate a car in the empty parking lot of a 1. Do not become complacent! Your
business. The fire and medical unit pull up near response should be similar on every
the vehicle, and personnel see a person inside call.
who appears to be asleep or unconscious.
2. Be well trained, know your job, do
Wearing safety glasses and medical gloves, you
your job.
walk up to the car and knock on the window.
3. Start your size-up from the time a call
The motorist does not respond to your knock is dispatched.
on the window, and the doors are locked. 4. Establish a strong command and
control the scene.
What action do you take? Will you hurry to 5. Do not go rushing in.
make access? Will you use a lockout tool, cen- 6. Survey the scene. Does the scene
ter punch, or halligan to make entry? look routine? Do you see anything
unsual? (Example: a note on the
You make access, a rush of warm air comes out window, containers inside the
of the vehicle and you smell a sharp odor. You vehicle, taped vents)
have just become a victim, and have been ex- 7. Wear the appropriate PPE.
posed to hydrogen sulfide, a possibly fatal gas.
8. Establish a Hot Zone.
What started as a routine person-down call has 9. Develop a plan of action and
easily expanded into a full-blown hazardous coordinate activities.
materials incident with a multijurisdictional 10. Call for additional resources, such as
response. a Hazmat team or a first aid unit.

SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION


 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide
T here is a new suicide technique being
publicized on the Internet that can become
a deadly hazard to law enforcement officers
and others who come upon the scene.
The suicide technique uses hydrogen sulfide,
a gas that smells like rotten eggs. Law
enforcement and first responders will need to
know how to identify such suicide scenes and
protect themselves and the public from hazards
associated with this chemical process.
The victim can retrieve the recipe off the
Internet, combining a toilet bowl cleanser and
a pesticide, to create a high concentration of
the gas. The gas will then cause respiratory
paralysis and death in less than six minutes.
Inhalation of hydrogen sulfide is a common
suicide technique in Japan and may likely gain
acceptance throughout the U.S.
Hydrogen sulfide suicide, also known as
detergent suicide, was first reported in the
United States in 2008 in Pasadena, Calif.,
and has since moved east, with cases reported
in Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Connecticut, Idaho, and Utah.
Most of the cases in the United States have
involved young adults creating hydrogen
sulfide in their cars, so citizens usually have
not been exposed to the gas. However, this
creates a major hazard to first responders on
the scene if they are unaware of the danger or
unable to identify hydrogen sulfide.
In March 2010, officers from St. Petersburg,
Fla. responded to a suicide call in a residential
area that pertained to an unconcisous man in a
car. The officers noticed five signs on the car
windows warning them to stay away. They
donned full protective clothing and breathing
devices. However, one officer inhaled a
lungful of hydrogen sulfide gas and had to
be transported to a hospital for treatment.
This call illustrates the new problem that
faces officers. Responding to these unknown
situations to help people could endanger their
own lives.
SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION

What is Hydrogen Sulfide?
Hydrogen sulfide is considered a poison that
affects several systems of the body, mostly the
nervous system. It is a colorless, flammable,
and extremely hazardous gas with a rotten egg
smell.
Hydrogen sulfide is similar to cyanide, and it
is five times more toxic than carbon monoxide.
Natural hydrogen sulfide is found mostly in
swamps and sewers due to the breakdown of
organic matter and a lack of oxygen.
The gas is heavier than air, so it travels along
the ground. It collects in enclosed, poorly
ventilated areas such as basements, manholes,
sewer lines, underground telephone vaults,
and manure pits. The more enclosed the space,
the higher the concentration of hydrogen
sulfide will be present. For instance, a car will
contain a higher concentration of hydrogen
sulfide than a bedroom.
• Exposure to low concentrations can also
cause eye irritation, sore throat, cough
nausea, shortness of breath, and fluid in
the lungs.
• Exposure to moderate concentrations can
cause fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting,
staggering, headaches, and irritability.
• Exposure to high concentrations can cause
convulsions, amnesia, miscarriage, coma,
and death.
The primary route of exposure is inhalation.
The gas is rapidly absorbed by the lungs.
However, contact with liquid hydrogen sulfide
causes frostbite. Labored breathing occurs
shortly after the gas is inhaled and respiratory
paralysis soon follows. Death will occur by
asphyxiation unless the person is removed
immediately to fresh air and resuscitated.
In addition, hydrogen sulfide has an auto-
ignition point of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
(Cigarettes burn at 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit.)
It burns with a blue flame, and can cause
chemical pneumonia within hours.
 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide
Secondary Exposure:
Hazards to First Responders
In Sept. 2008, the New York State Office of
Homeland Security sent out an advisory to all
emergency medical workers, warning them
that they could become innocent casualties of
the suicide technique if they are not careful.
When responding to incidents, especially
possible suicides, first responders should
be aware of the possibility of encountering
hydrogen sulfide gas.
First responders should exercise caution if
they suspect the presence of hydrogen sulfide
and they should follow their agency’s Hazmat
protocols. Consult the Hydrogen Sulfide
Material Safety Data Sheet (excerpt on page
9.)
Protection against hydrogen sulfide exposure:
• Air must be tested for the presence and
concentration of hydrogen sulfide by a
qualified person using air monitoring
equipment. Testing should also determine
if fire/explosion precautions are necessary.
• If the gas is present, the area must be
ventilated continually to remove the
gas.
• If the gas cannot be removed, the
person entering the area must use
appropriate respiratory protection
and any other necessary personal
protective equipment, rescue and
communication equipment.
Entry into a dangerous hydrogen
sulfide atmosphere should only be
made using:
• a full facepiece pressure demand self-
contained breathing apparatus with a
minimum service life of 30 minutes, or
• a combination full facepiece pressure
demand supplied-air respirator with an
auxiliary self-contained air supply.
SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION

If hydrogen sulfide levels are below 100 ppm,
an air-purifying respirator may be used.
Three categories of breathing equipment:
• Escape Unit (an air capsule)
• Work Unit (air-line with an escape bottle;
allows you to work for an extended period
of time)
• Rescue Unit (self-contained 30-min. supply
of air carried on your back.)
Most importantly, investigators should NOT
rely on their sense of smell to detect hydrogen
sulfide. The sense of smell is paralyzed within
three to 15 minutes of exposure to the gas.
Therefore, knowing the limitations of your
detection devices can save your life. First
responders should always be prepared for a
high concentration of the gas. The maximum
exposure limit for a low concentration of
hydrogen sulfide is eight hours without
respiratory equipment. An exposure to a high
concentration of hydrogen sulfide could cause
coma and death within minutes.
Common Detection Devices
For lower concentrations:
• lead acetate, ampules,
or coated strips change
colors in the presence of
hydrogen sulfide. The
color change indicates
the concentration.
 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide

For higher concentrations: L

• Hand-operated tube detectors: O 0 - 10 ppm Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
shows concentration on scale; W
should be used frequently Headache
M
• Personal electronic monitors: Dizziness
O 10 - 50 ppm
gives a continuous, audible Nausea and vomiting
D
readout of concentration levels Coughing and breathing difficulty
• Fixed monitor systems:
Severe respiratory tract irritation
continuous readout; alarm sounds H Eye irritation / acute conjunctivitis
when reaches set levels I 50 - 200 ppm Shock and convulsions
• Tutwiler method: chemical G Coma
analysis to determine H Death in severe cases
concentrations

When hydrogen sulfide reaches a high Exposure Treatment

concentration, investigators should work in
pairs. If the distance between investigators
extends more than an arm’s length, a lifeline
should be secured between them. Never attempt
a rescue in an area that may contain hydrogen
sulfide without being trained to perform such a
rescue.
In addition, a briefing area should be established
upwind. Wind can disperse hydrogen sulfide
rapidly. Windsocks or streamers could be
installed in the location to determine the present
wind direction. Also, large blowers or fans
can be used to disperse the vapors. However,
the blowers should be non-spark type. Do not
smoke near the scene.
After putting on proper respiratory equipment,
move the victim into fresh air immediately.
Apply mouth-to-mouth ventilation if the
victim is unconscious and breathing has
stopped. After reviving the victim, do not
leave him alone. Make sure the victim is
seen by a physician for possible underlying
conditions.
Other treatment involves immediate inhalation
of amyl nitrate, injections of sodium nitrite,
inhalation of pure oxygen, administration
of bronchodilators to overcome eventual
bronchospasm, and in some cases hyperbaric
oxygen therapy.

SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION


 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide

Sulfide Suicide and the Web

Hydrogen sulfide suicide, also known as
detergent suicide, is surfacing based on a
“how to” manual circulating on the Internet.

Originally when hydrogen sulfide appeared

on American blog sites, it was described as
similar to stink bombs, “great for pranks,”
and “toxic, but not that toxic.” Later, it was
described as “a quicker, less complicated
method of suicide.”

Hydrogen sulfide gained popularity as a

method of suicide when Bloomberg.com (a
news site) published the Japanese recipe for
hydrogen sulfide after more than 500 Japanese
men, women, and children committed suicide
using Internet instructions in the first half of
2008.

The sites described how to mix bath sulfur

(similar to bath salts) with toilet bowl cleanser
to produce the gas. The American version
replaces bath sulfur (which is not available
here) with pesticides.
In December 2009, 88 percent of search terms
on A Typical Life blog were a variation of
“detergent suicide recipe,” and “how to make
hydrogen sulfide.”
U.S. Blogs: Hydrogen Sulfide Recipes
Interestingly, some blog sites point
to a government Web site (www.
householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov) to help
identify the household chemicals to make
hydrogen sulfide. Other sites tell readers to
simply mix dishwashing detergent with a
bleach-containing cleanser, such as Comet.

Some sites that provide the instructions for However, the most basic formula is a
hydrogen sulfide also include a downloadable strong acid (toilet bowl cleaner) + calcium
PDF sign to warn emergency workers arriving polysulfides solution (pesticides) = hydrogen
on the scene. sulfide.

Hydrogen Sulfide Ingredients

Acid Sources Sulfide Sources
Lysol Ready to Use Disinfectant Blu-Lite Germicidal Acid Artist oil paints Spackling paste
Bowl Cleaner
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner Dandruff shampoos Some latex paints
Kaboom Shower, Tub, and
Sno Bol Toilet Cleaner Tile Cleaner Pesticides Garden fungicides

The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tile, stone cleaners

SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION


 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide
Sulfide Suicide: U.S. Cases
Pasadena, California
In August 2008, law enforcement and fire
units responded to a suicide involving
hydrogen sulfide in Pasadena, Calif.
The victim, found dead in his car behind a
shopping center, had mixed a fungicide and
a toilet bowl cleaner in a plastic tray. First
responders saw the tray with a bright-blue
liquid in the back seat of the vehicle. The
man had placed a note on the car to warn first
responders.
The police and firefighters evacuated the
shopping center before a Hazmat crew in
chemical suits extracted the body and began
cleanup.
Investigation indicated the victim may have
visited one or more of the numerous Japanese
Web sites that provide information on how to
commit suicide using hydrogen sulfide.
Bartow County, Georgia
In December 2008, emergency medical
workers arrived at Lake Allatoona in Bartow
County, Ga. and found a similar scene. Along
with the 20-year-old victim inside the car,
workers found two buckets containing a
yellow substance. A note on the window said
“caution” and identified the compound as
hydrogen sulfide.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
In 2005, the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill conducted a study that linked
suicide rates in North Carolina with hydrogen
sulfide exposures from a nearby paper mill.
In one instance, the Haywood County mill
reported a release of 93,000 pounds of
hydrogen sulfide. The study showed that
exposure to occupational levels of hydrogen
sulfide can result in nervousness, mania,
dementia, and violence - which could result in
suicidal thoughts or acts.
SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION

Potential Use by Terrorists
Terrorist training manuals have discussed
using hydrogen sulfide gas in an attack;
however, it would be difficult for terrorists to
create fatal concentrations of hydrogen sulfide
in large open areas because the gas would
dissipate.
Terrorists could fill enclosed spaces with the
gas to cause disruption and panic, but there
is no information that indicates an imminent
terrorist attack using hydrogen sulfide,
according to the New York State Office of
Homeland Security.
Law enforcement should be aware that
terrorists could use hydrogen sulfide as a
weapon of mass destruction because it is
inexpensive and easy to produce. Also, anyone
can purchase the necessary materials to create
the gas at retail stores or on the Internet.
The discovery of the victim in Pasadena led
to the evacuation of several businesses in the
immediate area and left bystanders stranded
for up to five hours while responders assessed
the scene.
In Japan, 90 people in an apartment building
were sickened when a 14-year-old girl killed
herself in her bathroom using hydrogen
sulfide. Also in Japan, a man vomited in a
hospital emergency room after poisoning
himself with the gas, causing 50 people to be
sickened by the fumes.
Most countries have legal limits that govern
the maximum allowable levels of exposure to
hydrogen sulfide in the working environment.
A typical permissible exposure limit is 10 ppm.
(Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Factsheet, 2004.)
The Atlanta Division’s Joint Terrorism Task Force
requests officers with questions or information
pertaining to large or suspicious purchases
of acid or sulfur-based cleaning supplies to
contact them at (404) 679-9000. (FBI Situational
Information Report, 2010.)
 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide
Suicide Investigation and Prevention
Suicide is the eleventh most common cause of
death. Almost four times as many males die by
suicide compared to females. Approximately
13 percent of men and 40 percent of women
who commit suicide choose poison (such as
hydrogen sulfide) as their method.
Risk factors for suicide:
• depression and other mental disorders,
or a substance-abuse disorder (often
in combination with other mental
disorders). More than 90 percent of
people who die by suicide have these
risk factors.
• prior suicide attempt
• family history of mental disorder,
substance abuse, or suicide
• family violence (physical or sexual abuse)
• firearms in the home; firearms are used
in more than half of suicides
• incarceration
• exposure to the suicidal behavior of
others, such as family members, peers,
or media figures.
Questions to ask before determining if a death
is a suicide:
• Who found the body or called the
police?
• When was the victim last seen alive?
• What was the psychological state of the
victim before death?
• Did the victim leave a suicide note?
• Where/what is the method used to cause
death?
• Is anything missing from the house?
• Are there any signs of a struggle?
• Is there more than one cause of death?
• Was the deceased on any medication?
• Was the deceased a heavy drinker/drug
abuser?
• Were there any prior suicide attempts or
history of a mental illness?
SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION

The key to suicide prevention is education.
Law enforcement can utilize knowledge
gained about suicide in the communities they
serve by offering information, letting people
know where they can seek help, or partnering
with prevention programs.
Suicide prevention programs:
• American Association of Suicidology
(AAS)
• American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention (AFSP)
• Children's Safety Network (CSN)
• Council of Juvenile Correctional
Administrators (CJCA)
• Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation
(CIT)
• First Nations Behavioral Health
Association (FNBHA)
• NAMI (formerly National Alliance for
the Mentally Ill)
• National Association of School
Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
• National Association of State
Mental Health Program Directors
(NASMHPD)
• National Council for Community
Behavioral Healthcare
• National Organization for People of
Color Against Suicide (NOPCAS)
• Pacific Institute for Research and
Evaluation (PIRE)
• Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
(SMH)
• Suicide Prevention Action Network
(SPAN USA)
• Suicide Prevention Partnership
For more information on partnering with
suicide prevention programs, check out the
Suicide Prevention Resource Center Web site
at www.sprc.org.
 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

SECTION 1. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME: Hydrogen Sulfide

CHEMICAL NAME: Sulfides FORMULA:
H2S
SYNONYMS: Sulfuretted Hydrogen; Hydrogen Sulphide;
Hydrosulfuric Acid; Sulfur Hydride; Sewer Gas; Sour Gas

MANUFACTURER: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

ADDRESS: 7201 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18195-1501
PRODUCT INFORMATION: (800) 752-1597
MSDS NUMBER: 1010 REVISION: 5
REVIEW DATE: October 1998 REVISION DATE: October 1998

SECTION 2. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Hydrogen Sulfide is sold as pure product (> 99%).

CAS NUMBER: 7783-06-4
EXPOSURE LIMITS:
OSHA: PEL = 20 ppm (Ceiling) ACGIH: TWA = 10 ppm NIOSH: REL = 10 ppm Ceiling
(10 minutes)
STEL = 15 ppm IDLH = 100 ppm

SECTION 3. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Hydrogen Sulfide is a toxic, flammable, colorless, liquefied gas. Hydrogen Sulfide has a distinct
“rotten-egg” smell. The odor cannot be relied on as an adequate warning of the presence of
Hydrogen Sulfide because at high concentrations olfactory fatigue occurs. Inhalation of high
concentrations of this gas can result in unconsciousness, coma, and death. Direct contact with liquid
Hydrogen Sulfide can cause frostbite. Hydrogen Sulfide poses an immediate fire hazard when mixed
with air. The gas is heavier than air, and may spread long distances. Distant ignition and flashback
are possible. Flame or high temperature impinging on a localized area of a cylinder of Hydrogen
Sulfide can cause the cylinder to explode without activating the cylinder’s relief devices. Provide
adequate fire protection during emergency response situations. Contact with the liquid (or, contact
with rapidly expanding gases) may cause frostbite.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

(00) 2- Continental U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico
(10)1-11 Other locations

ACUTE POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
EYE CONTACT: Inflammation and irritation of the eyes can occur at very low airborne
concentration (less than 10 ppm). Exposure over several hours may result in “gas eyes” or
“sore eyes” with symptoms of scratchiness, irritation, tearing and burning. Above 50 ppm,
there is an intense tearing, blurring of vision, and pain when looking at light. Exposed
individuals may see rings around bright lights. Most symptoms disappear when exposure
ceases. However, in serious cases, the eye can be permanently damaged. In addition to
irritation, contact of the eyes with the liquid can cause frostbite.

SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION

MSDS # 1010 Hydrogen Sulfide Page 1 of
6

 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide

INGESTION: Ingestion of Hydrogen Sulfide is not a likely route of industrial exposure.

INHALATION: Inhalation of high concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide can cause dizziness,
headache, and nausea. Exposure to higher concentrations can result in respiratory arrest,
coma, or unconsciousness. Exposure for more than 30 minutes at concentrations of greater
than 600 ppm have been fatal. Continuous inhalation of low concentrations may cause
olfactory fatigue, so that the odor is no longer an effective warning of the presence of
Hydrogen Sulfide. Severe exposures which do not result in death may cause long-term
symptoms such as memory loss, paralysis of facial muscles, or nerve tissue damage.
SKIN CONTACT: The gas may be irritating to the skin. Direct contact with liquid or rapidly
expanding gases (which are released under high pressure) may cause frostbite. Symptoms of
frostbite include change in skin color to white or grayish-yellow. The pain after contact with
liquid can quickly subside.
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF REPEATED EXPOSURE:
ROUTE OF ENTRY: Inhalation, skin contact
TARGET ORGANS: Respiratory system, skin, central nervous system.
SYMPTOMS: The most significant symptoms of chronic, low level exposure are related to the
central nervous system, with potential nerve tissue damage. Repeated low level skin exposure
may cause dermatitis.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED BY OVEREXPOSURE: Acute or chronic respiratory
conditions or eye disorders may be aggravated by over-exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide.
CARCINOGENICITY: Hydrogen Sulfide is not found on the FEDERAL OSHA Z LIST, NTP,
CAL/OSHA, or IARC Carcinogenicity lists.

SECTION 4. FIRST AID MEASURES

EYE CONTACT: If liquid is splashed into eyes, or if irritation of the eye develops after exposure to
Hydrogen Sulfide, open victim's eyes while under gentle, lukewarm, running water. Use sufficient
force to open eyelids. Have victim "roll" eyes. Minimum flushing is for 15 minutes. Victim must seek
immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist.
INGESTION: Ingestion is an unlikely route of exposure for Hydrogen Sulfide.
INHALATION: Remove victim(s) to fresh air, as quickly as possible. Trained personnel should
administer supplemental oxygen and/or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, if necessary.
SKIN CONTACT: If liquid is spilled on skin, or if irritation of the skin develops after exposure to liquid
or gas, immediately begin decontamination with running water. Minimum flushing is for 15 minutes.
Remove exposed or contaminated clothing, taking care not to contaminate eyes. Victim must seek
immediate medical attention. In case of frostbite, place the frostbitten part in warm water. DO NOT
USE HOT WATER. If warm water is not available, or is impractical to use, wrap the affected parts
gently in blankets. Alternatively, if the fingers or hands are frostbitten, place the affected area in the
armpit. Encourage victim to gently exercise the affected part while being warmed. Seek immediate
medical attention.
NOTES TO PHYSICIANS: Administer oxygen, if necessary and treat symptoms. Be observant for
initial signs of pulmonary edema.

SECTION 5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

FLASH POINT: AUTOIGNITION: FLAMMABLE RANGE:

Flammable gas 500 °F (260 °C) (LEL): 4.0% (UEL): 44.0%
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Extinguish Hydrogen Sulfide fires by shutting-off the source of the gas. Use
water spray to cool fire-exposed containers, structures, and equipment. Other appropriate
extinguishing media are dry chemical, foam, and carbon dioxide.
SPECIAL FIRE-FIGHTING PROCEDURES: Evacuate all personnel from area. If possible without risk,
shut off source of gas, then fight fire according to types of materials burning. Extinguish fire only if
gas flow can be stopped. This will avoid possible accumulation and reignition of a flammable gas
mixture. Keep adjacent cylinders cool by spraying with large amounts of water until the fire burns
itself out. For small releases, if it is not possible to stop the leak, and it does not endanger personnel,
let the fire burn itself out. Incipient fire responders should wear eye protection. Structural fire fighters
must wear Self-Contained Breathing

SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION

10
MSDS # 1010 Hydrogen Sulfide Page 2 of
 Regional Organized Crime Information Center
Special Research Report • Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide

Sources of Information:

A Typical Life. Blog. “Searching for Answers or Poulsen, Kevin. Wired. “Dangerous Japanese
Following a Trend.” May 2008. ‘Detergent Suicide’ Technique Creeps Into
www.atypicallife.com. U.S.” March 2009. www.wired.com.

Air Products. Material Safety Data Sheet #1010.
www.avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/
hydrogen_sulfide.pdf.
DHS Intelligence and Analysis Note. “Hydrogen
Sulfide: A Potential First Responder Hazard.”
September 2008.
eMedicine. “Inhalation Injuries.”
www.emedicine.medscape.com.
Safety Directory. “H2S Safety Factsheet.”
August 2004. www.safetydirectory.com.
Stansbury, Dave. LMVPD. “Suicide Method
Poses An Officer Safety Hazard.” March 2008.
www.capto-online.org.
Steps Network. “Hydrogen Sulfide: death and
injury from H2S exposure is unnecessary.”
www.stepsnetwork.com.

EMT Spot. “Hydrogen Sulfide Suicides Come Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
to the U.S.” March 2009. www.theemtspot.com. www.sprc.org.

FBI Intelligence Assessment. “Domestic Susquehanna Regional EMS Inc. Hydrogen

Terrorists’ Intent and Capability to Use
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear
Weapons. October 2008.
FBI Situational Information Report. “Hydrogen
Sulfide as a viable Weapon of Mass
Destruction agent.” January 2010.
Gwinnet County, Ga. Police Department
Information Bulletin. “Chemical Suicide Poses
Danger to First Responders.” December 2009.
Sulfide. www.srems.com.
Tampa Tribune. “Suicides by Poison Threaten
Crews.” March 3, 2010.
Tech.Blorge. “Dark site of the web: how to
make hydrogen sulfide gas for ‘easy’ suicide.”
April 2008. www.tech.blorge.com.
Wiley Interscience. “Noxious gas exposure:
Two Cases of Hydrogen Sulfide.” Feb. 2010.
www.interscience.wiley.com.

SOLVING CASES THROUGH COMMUNICATION

11
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Purity Meth Replacing Domestic Lab Output
• Meth Lab Safety Issues: How to Protect Law
Enforcement, First Responders, and the
General Public from the Dangers of Clandestine
Methamphetamine Labs
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Team):
Civilian Support for First Responders
• Taxing Illegal Drugs: States Attacking Profit Motive
of Dealers
• Diplomatic Immunity: Rules of Engagement for
Law Enforcement
• Violence Against Law Enforcement: Law
Enforcement Officers Murdered, Accidentally
Killed, Assaulted in the Line of Duty
• Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13): Violent Street Gang
with Military Background
• Indicators of Terrorist Activity: Stopping the Next
Attack in the Planning Stages
• Internet Fraud: Techniques Used to Scam Online
Consumers
• DXM: Teens Abusing Cough Medicine Risk Brain
Damage, Death
• RISS Activity Report for G-8 Summit
• Mail Center Security
• Safety & Security for Electrical Infrastructure:
Protecting Law Enforcement and the Public in
Emergency Situations
• Crisis Response Report: Terrorist Attacks &
Natural Disasters
• Eco Terrorism: Extremists Pose Domestic Threat
• Cold Case Units: Turning up the Heat
• Gypsies and Travelers
• User’s Guide to ATIX: Automated Trusted
Information Exchange
• DNA: Law Enforcement’s New Investigative Tool
• False ID: National Security Threat
• Salvia Divinorum: Herbal Hallucinogen Raises Law
Enforcement Concerns
• Smallpox: The Deadly Virus
• Human Trafficking: International Criminal Trade in
Modern Slavery
• Network Security: Safeguarding Systems
Against the Latest Threats
• Dirty Bombs: Radiological Dispersion Devices
• Ethics in Law Enforcement
• Law Enforcement Officers and Safety
• Computer Forensics: Following the Electronic Trail

ROCIC has been serving its criminal justice
members since 1973, and served as the
prototype for the modern RISS (Regional
Information Sharing Systems) Centers.
ROCIC serves more than 180,000 sworn
personnel in over 2,000 criminal justice
agencies located in 14 southeastern and
southwest­ern states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
ROCIC provides a variety of services, free • Loaning of specialized, high‑tech surveillance
of charge, to its criminal justice member equipment and ve­hicles
agencies: • Publications, including criminal intelligence
• Centralized law enforcement databases bulletin
with connectivity among law enforcement • Specialized training and membership &
agencies and the RISS Centers using the information exchange
RISS Nation­wide Intelligence Network.
• Use of investigative funds
• Analytical processing of criminal intelligence,
including phone tolls and document sorts • On‑site personal assistance by law
enforcement coordinators

© 2010 ROCIC • This publication was supported by Grant No. 2008-RS-CX-K005, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance,
Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The Office of Justice Programs also coordinates the activities of the
Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, and the Office for
Victims of Crime. This document was prepared under the leadership, guidance and funding of the Bureau of Justice Assistance
(BJA), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice in collaboration with the Regional Organized Crime Information
Center (ROCIC). The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this document are those of the
authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Regional Organized
Crime Information Center and ROCIC are protected by copyright laws.